HHSA Awards

Frank Jewett Trophy

Season Championship awarded at end of season ---Yearly Since 1987

HHSA First Place Finish Cup Awarded for each race for each division.

Hugh Schwarz Post Season

Awarded to best score in post season informal racing. Minimum of 5 races required to complete the series. Best score from 5 races.

Dan Culkin Participation Award

Awarded to sailor attending most races each season.

In case of tie, the award is shared

History of the Homes Hole Sailing Association

In 1976, a group of sailors from the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club saw a need for a different venue for sailing than that provided by the one design racing provided by the club at that time. The idea was to provide a less formal, more inviting form of racing for those less competitive in nature and for all levels of sailing experience, not just those raised in the yacht club environment. Any sailor with a boat not less than 15 feet overall and able to pay the $8 dues was welcomed. The schedule was set for a triangular course within the chops for morning and afternoon races every other Sunday. By 1978, 35 boats had registered and each sailor brought whatever level of competitiveness to the race as he chose. To keep it simple, spinnakers were not allowed and the triangular course was used exclusively. Frank Jewett, together with Pat West, Hugh Schwarz, Harry Jones, Tom Hale, Tom Mendenhall, Joe Low, Hank Scott, and Bud Haven were at the core of the group by 1980.

To establish handicaps for the boats in order to allow for the diverse fleet, Frank Jewett averaged times recorded for the triangular course over the years. Although the handicaps were a matter of interest for most of the sailors the focus of the group was always on the sailing rather than the competition. Two divisions were established to allow the high performance designs to compete with each other separate from the smaller and cruising boats. Adding 3 Sundays of rendezvous races to the schedule in the early 80's really required the sailors to gain some skills. When Harry Duane took over the handicapping in the late 80's, more attention was paid to the vagaries of the current's impact on the times. Still, the regular attendees, ever fluctuating in numbers, focused not on the results but rather the blue skies and waters of the Vineyard Sound.

During the 90's, the average boat in the fleet grew in size and the members expressed interest in adding more races to the schedule which would test their skills racing in the currents of the sound. Harry Duane designed 3 courses now called the "Sound" races which are about 10 miles long and give the larger boats a chance to strut their stuff. Throughout the last decade, the schedule has included 13 Sunday races, a third of which could be "Thrown out" when scoring for the season's awards.

As the Soling one design fleet attendance slowly ebbed at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club members who were also sailing with the HHSA, hoped to get VHYC members sailing with Holmes Hole by initiating "Thursday Evening races." The VHYC had a couple of Sonars available for its members and the grill was made available to the HHSA sailors after the short informal races. This venue has become very popular and many members of the VHYC have become aware of the HHSA racing program because of these Thursday Evening races. Since the 1980's, the VHYC has made their committee boat, the Vigilant, available with captain to the HHSA for a very reasonable fee and together, the two clubs provide the largest regular adult sailboat racing venue open to all on Martha's Vineyard.

Around 2015 the Thursday Evening races have been included in the scoring for the season's championship. 6 Alerion 28 express boats have joined the fleet and have become regular racers all season long. The fleet continues its trend towards faster boats but as always, boats of any description have been welcomed and continue to be competitive thanks to the unique rating system. In 2020 the Covid pandemic required an adjustment to the post race gatherings but that did not dampen the enthusiasm for the racing. The fleet raced as one division. 2020 ushered in the H-12 one design fleet which continued into 2021. By 2025 that attempt fell off and the proven performance rating fleet continues with an increase in expected participation. A review of the "Results" web page will give those interested a good rundown of the recent seasons' fun.

HHSA Season's Results Year by Year

HHSA Highlights and Season's Awards 2025

HHSA Completed 19 RACES of the 20 scheduled. In addition, the Tune-up race, designed to get people motivated to prepare their boats for the season, was held on June 15th…7 boats sailed course # 1. High winds expected from Hurricane Erin caused the cancellation of the Thursday race on August 21. Only two “Sound” races were run, both course #5, once in reverse. The Tarpaulin Cove race, scheduled for any of three dates was finally held on August 17th. For the first time since 2021, eleven boats made the trip in a strong SW wind with blue skies. 15 racers showed up for Thursday, July 3rd, the best turnout for the season. The HHSA race schedule recognized and made room for the SailMV Vineyard Cup race weekend and the VHYC Jewett Bowl pursuit race. Both races were heavily populated by HHSA racers and some went home as winners.

26 Different boats started this year, up from 21 in 2024. There were a total of 160 Starters vs. 139 in 2024. Several new boats joined the fleet. David McDononugh traded his J40, Trinity for a J42, Trinity and then again for a J 105, Trinity. Phil Hale sailed a couple of races with his J 7 Bandit. Bob Simons, done with his Alerion 20, raced his new J 9, Easy Rider, and Karena and Erik Hammarlund made a strong showing with their Cold molded Buzzards Bay 25, Maitland…named after Mait Edey. A few one timers also joined in, including Zach Lee with his new Sabre Spirit 36, Moonraker.

There were 10 Different first place finishers in the 2025 races: Artful Dodger, Gloria, Maitland, Joie De Vivre, Penelope, Tamu, Silhouette, Julia Lee, Zebra, and Truckin. That's a total of 10 racers securing at least one coffee cup out of 26 different starters, better than a one in three odds.

2025 Season's Championship: Scored as one division. Sunday and Thursday races included.

First Place - Tamu, Tom and Holly Wescott

Second Place - Artful Dodger, Mike Powers

Third Place - Penelope, Mo Flam

Dan Culkin award for Best attendance: Mike Powers sailing Artful Dodger, finished 18 races of the 19 raced and also raced in the Tune-up, Vineyard Cup, and the Edgartown Round the island race. Others with strong outings include Tamu, Silhouette and Penelope - each sailed 15 races, and Maitland, first year with HHSA, sailed 14 races.

2024 Hugh Schwarz post season cup went to Gloria, Roger Becker and Don Corner, with 9 boats coming out at least once. 7 races were scored. October 20th was the last race.

Jewett Cup: Tamu, Tom and Holly Wescott

HHSA Highlights and Season's Awards 2024

HHSA Completed 16 RACES of 20 scheduled. In addition, the Tune-up race, designed to get people motivated to prepare their boats for the season, was held on June 16th…8 boats sailed course # 1 in reverse. The First two races of the season were cancelled due to high winds as were two others during the season….one because of a pending electrical storm, which dumped hail stones on Falmouth. Only one “Sound” race course was used, 10 races were the single rounding of the triangle. Course #2 was sailed 3 times, course #3 and #1 sailed one time each. The Tarpaulin Cove race was again shifted to a harbor race for lack of wind. 16 racers showed up for Thursday, July 25th, the best turnout for the season. The HHSA race schedule recognized and made room for the SailMV Vineyard Cup race weekend and the VHYC Jewett Bowl pursuit race. Both races were heavily populated by HHSA racers and some went home as winners.

22 Different boats started this year, down from 27 in 2023, but up from 20 in 2021. There were a total of 139 Starters vs. 147 in 2023. Three new boats joined the fleet. David McDononugh traded his C&C Trinity for a J40 Trinity, Phil Hale sailed one race with his Doughdish, Whirlwind, and Frank Sutula joined us with his W – 46 class Zebra for seven starts. Bill Brossi sailed Shannon over from Falmouth to race 4 times and Mike Powers continued to come over with Artful Dodger, even though shackled with a “Previous Season’s Winner” penalty. Eric Widra came out once with the Yellow Pogo 30, Campana.

There were, as in 2023, 8 Different first place finishers in the 2024 races: Encore, Artful Dodger, Gloria, Trinity, Apres, Penelope, Tamu, and the Mendels, sailing a VHYC Sonar. This list was missing 4 from last years cup winners and added 4 new cup winners for 2024. That's a total of 8 racers securing at least one coffee cup out of 22 different starters, better than a one in three odds.

2024 Season's Championship: Scored as one division. Sunday and Thursday races included.

First Place - Gloria, Roger Becker with Don Corner

Second Place - Tamu, Tom and Holly Wescott

Third Place - Artful Dodger, Mike Powers

Dan Culkin award for Best attendance: The Wescotts, sailing Tamu, finished 15 races of the 16 raced and also raced in the Vineyard Cup and the Jewett Bowl. Gloria, Silhouette and Trinity each sailed 14 races.

Jewett Cup: Gloria, Roger Becker and Don Corner.

HHSA Highlights and Season's Awards 2023

Completed 15 RACES of 20 scheduled. Four Thursday evening races and one Sunday race were cancelled all because of high winds or rain or predicted showers. Four Sunday races were across the sound. The tune-up race was sailed by 9 boats on course #1R, a great season’s preview with 8 knots of Eastnortheast wind. The HHSA race schedule recognized and made room for the SailMV Vineyard cup race weekend and the VHYC Jewett Bowl pursuit race. Both races were heavily populated by HHSA racers and some went home as winners.

27 Different boats started this year, up from 20 in 2021. There were a total of 147 Starters vs.184 in 2022. Two new boats joined the fleet, Tom Graham with the G&B Ketch "Encore" and Dominic Maxwell with "Liberty" the Morris 36.

There were 8 Different first place finishers in 2023 races: Encore, Artful Dodger, Gloria, Bliss, Trinity, Soma Holiday, Julia Lee and Bia. This list was missing 7 from last years cup winners and added 5 new cup winners for 2023.

That's a total of 8 racers securing at least one coffee cup out of 27 different starters, not as good odds as compared to previous years but still better than a one in four chance.

2023 Season's Championship Scored as one division. Sunday and Thursday races included. All three positions were secured by boats not awarded in 2022.

First Place - Artful Dodger, Mike Powers

Second Place - Gloria, Roger Becker

Third Place - Bliss, Adam and Elizabeth Hayes

Dan Culkin award for Best attendance: Mo Flam sailing, Penelope, finished all 15 races and also raced in the Vineyard Cup, Jewett Bowl and the EYC around the sound races.

Jewett: Artful Dodger, Mike Powers.

HHSA Highlights and Season's Awards 2022

Completed 18 RACES of 22 scheduled. One Thursday evening race was cancelled because of high winds and another abandoned as the wind died. On Sundays we changed the Tarpaulin Cove race to course #3 because of little wind. The August 14th, Sunday race was started, but was then abandoned because of lack of wind. August 7th was cancelled because of high winds. Only 2 Sunday races were across the sound. The tune-up race was sailed by 7 boats on course #2, a great season’s preview with 8 knots of Southwest wind.

20 Different boats started this year, down from 24 in 2021. 184 Starters vs. 200 in 2021. Two new boats joined the fleet, Tristan Lodge with the Swan 42, Corban and Bob Simons with the Alerion 20, Shooting Star.

There were 7 Different first place finishers in Sundays' 9 races: Penelope, Tamu, Escape, Artful Dodger, Gloria, Altius, Trinity. In addition 3 more boats scored a first in a Thursday race; Apres, Sandpiper and Alex Pardo sailing a VHYC Sonar.

That's a total of 10 racers securing a coffee cup out of 20 different starters.

2022 Season's Championship Scored as one division. Sunday races only.

First Place - Penelope, Mo and Pam Flam

Second Place - Tamu, Tom and Holly Wescott

Third Place - Escape, Tom and Laurie Welch

Dan Culkin award for Best attendance: Mo Flam

Jewett: Penelope, Mo and Pam Flam

The new H-12 fleet completed 7 Sunday races with 12 different boats attending up from 7 boats in 2021. Phil Hale, sailing Whirlwind finished the season in 1st place and had perfect attendance. The H-12 fleet hosted a total of 22 boats from across the island for a 2 day regatta on Labor Day weekend.

HHSA Highlights and Season's Awards 2021

Completed 19 RACES of 24 scheduled. Two Thursday evening races were cancelled because of rain and lack of wind and Hurricane warnings. On Sundays we changed the Robinson’s Hole race to course #1R because of little wind, and the Chappy race was cancelled as Hurricane Henri blew by. The August 8th Sunday race was started by 12 boats, but was then abandoned because of lack of wind. July 25th was cancelled because of high winds. Only 2 season races were across the sound. The tune-up race was sailed in memory of Dan Culkin and 7 boats sailed the across sound on course #4, a great season’s preview with 13 knots of wind.

24 Different boats. Same as 2020. 200 Starters.

10 Different first place finishers: Angelina, Julia Lee, Bliss, Gloria, Kintail, Penelope, Peter Howell in a VHYC Sonar, Silhouette and Artful Dodger joining us from Falmouth. Trinity was the winner of the Tune up race.

2021 Season's Championship Scored as one division.

First Place - Angelina, John and Lisa Stout

Second Place - Gloria, Roger Becker

Third Place - Julia Lee, Woody Bowman

Dan Culkin award for Best attendance: Roger Becker and Mo Flam

Jewett: Angelina, John and Lisa Stout

The new H-12 fleet completed 5 Sunday races with 7 different boats attending. Tom Hale, sailing Leap of Faith finished the season in 1st place.

HHSA Highlights and Season's Awards 2020

Completed 18 RACES of 22 scheduled. Cancelled four Thursday evening because of Botched signaling, lack of wind, lack of wind and rain and one was abandoned. Completed all the other Thursday evening races. On Sundays we changed the Robinson’s hole race to a slow course #0 because of little wind, but raced all the others. 3 races were across the sound. The tune-up race was a great season’s opener, 10 knots of wind on course #2.

24 Different boats. Down 3 from 2019.

10 Different first place finishers: Angelina, At Last, Bliss, Gloria, Kintail, Sienna, Silhouette, Starfish, Trinity, Tyche.

191 Starters.

Season's Championship Scored as one division.

Third Place - At Last, Jim Dixon and Rich Hehre

Second Place - Gloria, Roger Becker

First Place - Altius, Alan Wilson

Dan Culkin award for Best attendance: Tom Westcott and Alan Wilson

Jewett: Altius, Alan Wilson

HHSA Highlights and Season's Awards 2019

Completed 19 RACES of 20 scheduled. Cancelled one Thursday evening because of rain and lack of wind. Completed all the other Thursday evening races. On Sundays we changed the Tarpaulin Cove race to a harbor race because of high winds. We Completed 3 sound courses, 2 course #1 races and 3 single rounds of the HHSA triangle. We had beautiful weather for Chappy and Robinson's hole rendezvous races. The tune-up race was a course #8 to the big bridge in a good breeze.

27 Different boats. Down 8 from 2018. 16 in A, 11 in B.

18 Different first place finishers compared to 16 in 2017. 9 in A, 9 in B

232 Starters compared to 256 in 2018. 106 in A, average of 5.58 per race and 126 in B, average of 6.63 per race.

First Place Sunday, Thursday and Season

A: Escape, Laurie and Tom Welch

B: Tamu, Tom and Heidi Wescott

Season's Championship A: Third Place - Tango, Phil Hale

Second Place - Sienna, Jerry Goodale

First Place - Escape, Tom and Laurie Welch

B: Third Place - Altius, Alan Wilson

Second Place - Penelope Mo Flam

First Place - Tamu, Tom Wescott

Dan Culkin award for Best attendance: Tom Westcott, Tom Welch and Alan Wilson

Jewett: Tamu, Tom Wescott

HHSA Season's Awards 2018

Completed 18 RACES of 24 scheduled. Cancelled one Thursday evening and a Sunday of Harbor races. Abandoned a morning Harbor race. Cancelled the Robinson's race and 1 sound race. Changed one Sound race to a harbor race. In addition, the tune-up race was changed to a harbor race.

35 DIFFERENT BOATS Down 3 from 2017. 21 in A, 14 in B.

16 FIRST PLACE FINISHERS compared to 18 in 2016 7 in A, 9 in B

256 STARTERS compared to 283 in 2017. 124 in A, average of 6.9 per race and 132 in B, average of 7.3 per race.

First Place June/July A: Sienna, Jerry Goodale

B: Penelope, Mo Flam

First Place Aug/Sept A: Sienna, Jerry Goodale

B: Altius, Alan Wilson

Season's Championship A: Third Place - Scheggia, Tim Gollin

Second Place - Tango, Phil Hale

First Place - Sienna, Jerry Goodale

B: Third Place - Penelope Mo Flam

Second Place - Tamu, Tom Wescott

First Place - Altius, Alan Wilson

Dan Culkin award for Best attendance: Jerry Goodale and Alan Wilson

Jewett: Altius, Alan Wilson

HHSA Season's Awards 2017

Completed 20 RACES of 24 scheduled. Cancelled one Thursday evening and a Sunday of Harbor races. Abandoned a morning Harbor race. Changed the Robinson's race and 2 sound races to Harbor races. In addition, the tune-up race was changed to a harbor race.

38 DIFFERENT BOATS Down 7 from 2016. Down 1 from 2015. 23 in A, 15 in B.

18 FIRST PLACE FINISHERS compared to 20 in 2016 10 in A, 8 in B

283 STARTERS compared to 306 in 2016. 138 in A, and 145 in B.

Best attendance: Tom Wescott (20) and Alan Wilson (20 less Committee boat service)

First Place June/July A: Encore, Don Cohan

B: Providence, Stuart Halpert

First Place Aug/Sept A: Tango, Phil Hale

B: Providence, Stuart Halpert

Season's Championship A: Third Place - Encore, Don Cohan

Second Place - Escape Tom and Laurie Welch

First Place - Tango, Phil Hale

B: Third Place - Altius, Alan Wilson

Second Place - Penelope Mo Flam

First Place - Providence, Stuart Halpert

Jewett: Providence, Stuart Halpert

Currents in Vineyard Haven Harbor

The basics:

Think of the moon-produced tidal current coming in from the ocean at Newport. It divides into a stream to the left into Long Island Sound and stream to the right toward Boston. As the Boston Stream gets to Buzzards Bay, some if it flows around Cuttyhunk into Vineyard Sound. The portion going north in Buzzards Bay tries to get through the canal but is forced to rush through the holes in the Elizabeth Islands (Canapitsit, Robinson's, Quick's and Woods) into Vineyard Sound, thus reinforcing the current there. Thus the “flood” is a strong current running east past West Chop. Approximately six hours later, the reverse occurs and there is an “ebb” current running west.

The effect on Vineyard Haven:

The current flooding past West Chop cannot turn the corner toward Vineyard Haven and continues toward East Chop where it is able to turn and run into the harbor along the East Chop shore. This happens about 1.5 hours after the current starts to flood in the sound off West Chop (counterintuitively, the water continues to flow out around East Chop during this 1.5 - 2 hour period). It continues to the Lagoon Pond breakwater at Eastville where some gets around in to the Lagoon, but most makes a right turn and either flows into the inner harbor circling back along the West Chop Shore, or is deflected by the Eastville breakwater and flows out toward West Chop.

When the ebb starts, water pours out of the lagoon and runs out along the East Chop shore. It also runs through the harbor and out the West Chop shore virtually all the time. Look at the floating line to the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club's swim raft and you will notice it is almost always bowed north toward West Chop.

The racing considerations:

When the current is flowing along the East Chop shore, into the harbor and also when it is flooding out, there are back-eddies on the shore and about 100 yards out. They vary and can not always be seen on the surface. Sometimes tacking close to shore has a really helpful effect when heading into a foul current, but generally staying outside of the main stream of current is wise. With the tide flooding in on the East Chop shore, there is a noticeable current going out of the harbor at Buoy A (N6), and as noted above, it is almost always going out at Buoy B (N4).

The current in the sound reaches 3 knots. Tacking out into the flood is a major benefit if headed East, whereas a boat headed West would try to stay inside the current line which is generally just inside the line of the chops. (The line between B {N4} and C {C23a}.) The exception here would be a lee-bow current lifting you to windward.

Caution:

While these comments are basically accurate, a protest that the current during a race was not as described will not be allowed, nor will a protest that one of the general suggestions did not work out.